Meet Maribeth
Laughter and tears are only a moment apart, but joy is eternal.
I am an author, blogger, and speaker, but more importantly, mom and grandmom.
I taught school in Sarasota, Florida for many years while my husband, Rob, and I raised our 3 children and several dogs. I loved writing with my students and drawing out their creativity.
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In 1997 our world was rocked when our ten-year-old son, Chris, was diagnosed with leukemia and I began journaling. That journal eventually became my first book, Christopher’s Journey, and I began speaking and fundraising at cancer benefits and nonprofits.
Chris, our funny, compassionate, and loving child, lost his battle with cancer in 2001 at the age of 14. Although he had lost his earthly battle, he had won his spiritual battle.
His faith and acceptance were beyond anything that we had taught him.
On his deathbed, he assured us that Jesus was coming for him. He had become our teacher. This began my personal journey to gain a better relationship with Jesus Christ. This is a journey that continues today.
I wrote my second book, The Bald-Headed Princess, because I hadn’t been able to find any quality literature for children with cancer. Shortly after it was published, I had a student with cancer in my fourth-grade classroom. We all read the book together and learned about cancer, courage, and empathy.
My faith grew, but so did my life challenges. I struggled with alcoholism, and our daughter battled drugs.
I was the perfect example of someone who looked great on the outside but was dying on the inside.
I followed Chris’s example and put it all in God’s hands. Today I have double-digit sobriety, our daughter is doing well, and we have two beautiful granddaughters.
In 2015, tragedy struck again, and our 21-year-old son, Jarrod, was killed in an accident. Once again, our family was plunged into unimaginable grief. It took a huge toll on our marriage. It would have been easy to turn away from God and back to alcohol, but I clung tenaciously to Jesus Christ and the hope of glory. Rob and I had also been given the gift of seeing Jarrod turn away from his rebellious ways and become a true Christian.
I am blessed to be able to use this space to share my hope with others who struggle with adversity and loss. It’s a privilege to also speak at Christian and secular conferences, non-profit fundraisers, and women’s retreats on topics of childhood cancer, grief, child-loss, and recovery.
I believe that the Lord uses those of us who have suffered in a mighty way—if we let Him
It’s a privilege to have you join me here. I hope that I can help you find hope and humor in a fallen world.